LISWANISO REJECTS CALL TO FREE ALLEGED TREASON SUSPECTS

LISWANISO REJECTS CALL TO FREE ALLEGED TREASON SUSPECTS THE UPND has strongly rejected calls by Prince AKASHAMBATWA MBIKUSITA LEWANIKA for the release of individuals facing treason charges, describing the proposal as misguided and contrary to the rule of law. LEWANIKA, Chairperson of the Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development, appealed to African […]

LISWANISO REJECTS CALL TO FREE ALLEGED TREASON SUSPECTS

THE UPND has strongly rejected calls by Prince AKASHAMBATWA MBIKUSITA LEWANIKA for the release of individuals facing treason charges, describing the proposal as misguided and contrary to the rule of law.

LEWANIKA, Chairperson of the Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development, appealed to African Presidents to facilitate national dialogue in Zambia, saying those he describes as “political prisoners” must be released for meaningful dialogue to take place.

The Council, formed in March 2026, includes veteran figures such as MBITA CHITALA, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, SAKWIBA SIKOTA and MUHABI LUNGU.

Reacting in Lusaka on September 24th, UPND National Youth Chairperson GILBERT LISWANISO said treason is the gravest offence against the State and should be determined by competent courts, not political pressure.

LISWANISO accused LEWANIKA of attempting to internationalise a domestic law-enforcement matter, arguing that dialogue cannot mean impunity or undermine ongoing judicial proceedings.

He maintained that Zambia remains a stable democracy with functioning courts and Parliament, saying the country’s future must be built on respect for the rule of law rather than what he termed “selective amnesty for political convenience.”

PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FREE TREASON DETAINEES IS A MISPLACED CALL THAT IGNORES LAW AND ORDER

Lusaka, 24th September 2026 – As the United Party for National Development, we have read the appeal by Prince Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika, Chairperson of the Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development, calling on African Presidents to facilitate national dialogue in Zambia and to have persons facing treason charges released as so-called political prisoners.

With due respect to Prince Lewanika, this statement must be challenged because it fundamentally misdiagnoses Zambia’s situation and confuses lawlessness with politics.

The question we must ask is whether the issue is about freeing individuals or dealing with the issues at hand that led to their arrest. Prince Lewanika calls for the release of treason detainees as a precondition for dialogue, but he conveniently avoids the critical question of what conduct led to those arrests in the first place

Treason is not a parking offence. It is the gravest charge against the State under our laws. It is not declared by Government. It is investigated by law enforcement agencies and determined by competent courts of law.

To call for the release of suspects without addressing the alleged conduct that triggered the law is to ask Zambia to tolerate lawlessness. Is that what an elder and envoy for ethical leadership should champion?

A true elder should be the first to say let the law take its course. Dialogue is welcome, but dialogue cannot mean impunity. Meaningful dialogue cannot be built on a demand to subvert the judicial process.

If Prince Lewanika wants to be a champion for dialogue, let him champion dialogue that addresses the root causes, namely respect for the Constitution, rejection of anarchy and respect for state institutions, not dialogue that starts with freeing suspects.

It is ironic that Prince Lewanika wants African Presidents to look at Zambia over a matter of law enforcement when the continent is grappling with far more pressing governance crises, including unconstitutional changes of Government, armed conflicts, coups and terrorism.

Zambia remains one of the most stable democracies on the continent. Our courts are working. Our Parliament is working. Our people are debating freely, including those who insult the very peace they enjoy. There is no justification for calling African leaders to facilitate dialogue over a treason case that is already before a competent court.

This attempt to internationalise a domestic law enforcement matter is not only misplaced, it discredits Zambia. It paints a picture of a country in crisis that requires external mediation, which is simply not true. Zambia does not need to be rescued. Zambia needs its laws to be respected.

As UPND, we support dialogue. His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema has always stated that Zambia is a country of dialogue. However, dialogue cannot be conditional on releasing persons charged with treason. That is not dialogue, it is blackmail against the State.

If the Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development wants to contribute meaningfully, let it facilitate dialogue on how we as Zambians can strengthen ethical leadership by discouraging lawlessness, not by rewarding it.

Let it engage the youth on respecting institutions and let it encourage political players to compete through ideas, in line with the Grow Zambia Agenda, and not through acts that attract treason charges.

Zambia’s future will be built on the rule of law and not on selective amnesty for political convenience.

Issued by:
Gilbert Liswaniso
UPND National Youth Chairperson